Backcountry Skiing trips – Niseko

Explore arguably the world’s best powder on your skis!

Located in the island of Hokkaido, Niseko is Japan’s most renowned ski resort, with some of the best powder snow in the world! Its famous light snow attracts local and foreigner skiers every season. In winter, this fabulous ski resort gets 4 meters of snow more than any other resort in the world! Step into your touring skis and head out into Niseko’s amazing backcountry terrain for an unforgettable experience. Choose from our selection of trips below and discover this powder paradise for yourself. Explore-Share.com only promotes trips led by certified guides.

44 reviews

3 Reasons

Perfect powder

Due to its unique geographic location, Niseko receives about 350 centimeters of snow annually. Combined with the low temperatures, this keeps the snow in the perfect condition for backcountry skiing all winter long.

Something for everyone

The sheer variety of backcountry ski routes in and around Niseko means that there is something here appropriate for skiers of all levels. Whether it is your first time strapping into ski boots or you are a seasoned pro, there are runs here for you.

Take in the culture

Niseko has a very unique and distinct culture from the rest of Japan. When you are not out on the slopes, enjoy some of the local sites. There are hot springs in the city, numerous breweries in Sapporo and the unique wines in Furano all waiting for you to discover them.

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What’s the weather like?

During the winter, Niseko gets plenty of snow. It is often awarded as the second snowiest place on earth and winter temperatures are generally below freezing.

Language

Japanese

Currency

Japanese yen

How long should I stay?

This depends on how much free time you have. Guides offer an array of options from single-day outings to week-long treks.

Country Code

+81

Best time to visit

During the winter, from mid-December to March.

What People Say

44 reviews

I participated in the Sherpas Ride Trip Dec/Jan 2018/19 and I loved the experience of freeriding in Japan as well

as the guiding and organization of Tomas and Vojta from Sherpas Ride. The trip was booked directly with Vojta and he advised me carefully on fitness level and equipment required for the trip. I felt well prepared and any question or organizational detail was delivered in a timely manner. At arrival the pickup went smoothly and Vojta is great in making you feel welcome and at home from the first minute. The housing, where our group of 12 people, was accommodated was conveniently equipped and close to restaurants and supermarkets. The facilities like bathroom and kitchen are shared and the group was super lovely and easy to deal with. The equipment (ski, poles, backpack with avalanche rescue equipment, and skins) was all comparatively new and well maintained. Tomas and Vojta were always helpful if there was any need or problem with it. The organization of breakfast, driving to the best spot and during the freeriding or touring day went well because the guys mange everything in a nice and relaxed way. I asked for and appreciated that they gave me advise on how to improve my freeriding skills and that they had a good speed and thus, I was also challenged to become better. I felt well informed on where to go and how to behave and there was always room for discussing snow conditions and how to best spot a line and estimate risks. I definitely learned something there and the two guides made things fun, yet clear when limits are reached. The scenery of the volcanos, trees, and the masses of snow is simply faboulous. There is nothing comparable to enjoying the ride in the deep snow spraying all over you. I would definitely do it again! Thanks for the time, Sherpas Ride, and my great group Dec/Jan 2018/19 – you will always enjoy a special place in my memories.

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Pfanni for Road trip and backcountry ski touring in Hokkaido

Booked the Hokkaido Roadtrip – this can be described in one word: Fantastic! I would book this trip again immediately! Super

organized camp with excellent powderlines. Guides are also trying very hard to put together an alternative program (ski tours) if it happens that there is no fresh snow for a few days. Really absolutely recommendable Trip to Japan with all-round care.

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Fortunat Signorell for Road trip and backcountry ski touring in Hokkaido

What an experience! Vojta, Tomas, Cyril and Kuba run a great camp with good balance of ski touring and lift access

to get to the best lines of the day. I liked the idea of not having daily program set in stone but rather wait for morning weather report to decide on the best option for the day. I highly recommend Sherpas ride for Japow experience.

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Martin Vana for 12-day freeride ski trip in Niseko

Definitely provided one of the best sports experiences I’ve ever had. Organization and support was great, staff very competent and

ambitious. Skis and boards provided, guides were able to find the best powder lines on the mountains. Big thumbs up!

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Manuel Wildtgrube for 12-day freeride ski trip in Niseko

I recently did the Freeride Camp with Sherpas Ride and it was amazing. First of all the staff is not

only very competent but also highly motivated to provide a great experience on and off the mountain every single day. The provided equipment (Skis, Poles & avalanche equipment) was new and worked well. Breakfast was freshly made every day and the guys did a good job creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere throughout the trip. I’ll definitely try to come back for another trip!

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Bastien Adrien for 12-day freeride ski trip in Niseko

I had a great time with Wataru, very nice and experienced guide. He brought us not so far away in

a quiet and beautiful area of Shirebitsu with tons of magical snow. If I could, I would go back tomorrow! Thanks again to your platform.

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Julien for 1-7 days Sapporo Based Backcountry Skiing

Should have extended each day by at least 1 run

Philippe Fatzer for 1-7 days Sapporo Based Backcountry Skiing

I would like to give Naoki five stars out of five. He was just great: professional, safety first approach, helped

us with our splitboards, found great terrain and was very friendly and kind during the hole day!

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Alex for Niseko, Rusutsu and Sapporo backcountry ski tours

The “Guided powder ski tour” was amazing, also thanks to your brilliant and professional guide Gunther Winkel also a big thanks

to Jun Horie for the skitouring equipment. On behalf Daniel and myself we want to thank you for a very professional guided powder ski tour, showing us Niseko in the best way of ski touring.

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Nicklas Zettergren for Guided powder ski tour – Niseko Ski Resort

Truly excellent guide, with unique knowledge of backcountry spots for freeride and touring. Extremely nice guy too.

Anton Arriola for Hokkaido backcountry and off piste skiing

My wife and myself had the wonderful opportunity to spend three days with Naomi Kawata as our backcountry country

guide. First off Naoki is a very easy going person. wen felt at ease with him right away. also he has the right guide qualifications.Safety in the mountains was the number one priority. he is very knowledgeable about anything backcountry (example how to apply your skins when your knee deep in snow} Naoki was able to take us to a mountain where we three were the only people there it was an absolute blast! Naoki took us to a few local restaurants that were amazing. you had better know japanese in these places or have Naoki with you, that’s how local they were. Well to sum it up three great days skiing with an excellent ,extremely versed guide. we will definitely get with Naoki next year. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a good safe time. Ed &Iris

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ed zinnanti and iris zinnanti for Niseko, Rusutsu and Sapporo backcountry ski tours

Great for experienced backcountry ski/board tourers. Daisuke looked after us very well. We experienced some of the local culture

going to onsens and restaurants after a hard day on the snow. The yakitori stand at the end of the first day was a real treat.

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Anna O'Sullivan for Hokkaido backcountry and off piste skiing

Heleen Hidskes for Backcountry Skiing on Mt Yotei, Hokkaido

It was a pleasure with the guides from the pow company. Matoko likes hiking so we did 3 days of

backcountry. I think we will be going back to Japan!

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Corey and Andrew for Niseko lift accessed Sidecountry Skiing

Myself and my husband and brother had a fabulous day! We got great snow! Wataru showed us some

great places to get the powder stashes! Unfortunately my skill level could not make the utmost of this awesome day but I enjoyed it so much anyway. If I can make it back to Hokkaido I will try my hardest to book with Wataru again.

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Holly Sullivan for 1-7 days Sapporo Based Backcountry Skiing

We had a very nice time with our guids matoko and shino. We did not do the side country skiing

at all but instead went completely into the back country for 3 days of amazing powder. I would definitely contact the powdercompany about guiding if I find myself in Japan again.

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Corey and Andrew for Niseko lift accessed Sidecountry Skiing

Armand Girard Noyer for Hokkaido backcountry and off piste skiing

alexandre ALT for 7-day backcountry skiing tour in Hokkaido

I skied with Kehoe Seki, who took my up Mt Iwaonupuri. He is among the most knowledgeable, helpful and friendly

guides I’ve skied with. I highly recommend.

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Chris Leach for Niseko 1+ day backcountry skiing with a guide

Daisuke was an awesome guide! We ran into some unstable snow, so we modified our original plan and found some

great snow on a safer slope. Daisuke was super helpful skiing and also in helping us to figure out logistics for the rest of our trip. I would and will recommend Daisuke to everyone I know going skiing in Japan!

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Connor McCune for Hokkaido backcountry and off piste skiing

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Backcountry Skiing trips – Niseko

Explore arguably the world’s best powder on your skis!

Top Backcountry Skiing Trips in Niseko

Hokkaido backcountry and off piste skiing

Hokkaido backcountry and off piste skiing

12-day freeride ski trip in Niseko

12-day freeride ski trip in Niseko

1-7 days Sapporo Based Backcountry Skiing

1-7 days Sapporo Based Backcountry Skiing

Niseko, Rusutsu and Sapporo backcountry ski tours

Niseko, Rusutsu and Sapporo backcountry ski tours

Guided powder ski tour - Niseko Ski Resort

Guided powder ski tour - Niseko Ski Resort

3-day Niseko backcountry skiing (with Mt. Yotei)

3-day Niseko backcountry skiing (with Mt. Yotei)

Ski touring on Mt Yotei, Hokkaido

Ski touring on Mt Yotei, Hokkaido

7-day backcountry skiing tour in Hokkaido

7-day backcountry skiing tour in Hokkaido

Niseko lift accessed Sidecountry Skiing

Niseko lift accessed Sidecountry Skiing

Niseko 1-day guided freeriding

Niseko 1-day guided freeriding

Niseko 1+ day backcountry skiing with a guide

Niseko 1+ day backcountry skiing with a guide

Niseko 'best 5 days' powder program

Niseko 'best 5 days' powder program

Freeride and ski touring in Hokkaido

Freeride and ski touring in Hokkaido

Backcountry Skiing (full hike) in Niseko

Backcountry Skiing (full hike) in Niseko

1+day Powder ski tour in Hokkaido

1+day Powder ski tour in Hokkaido

Backcountry Skiing on Mt Yotei, Hokkaido

Backcountry Skiing on Mt Yotei, Hokkaido

1+ Days Lift Assisted Ski Touring in Hokkaido

1+ Days Lift Assisted Ski Touring in Hokkaido

Road trip and backcountry ski touring in Hokkaido

Road trip and backcountry ski touring in Hokkaido

Ski touring from Niseko to Asahidake

Ski touring from Niseko to Asahidake

3-day Niseko Haute Route in Hokkaido

3-day Niseko Haute Route in Hokkaido

Freeride skiing and ski touring in Niseko

Freeride skiing and ski touring in Niseko

Niseko haute route ski tour

Niseko haute route ski tour

Hokkaido 1-day backcountry ski tour

Hokkaido 1-day backcountry ski tour

Private 1-day Shiribetsu-Dake volcano heliskiing in Hokkaido, Japan

Private 1-day Shiribetsu-Dake volcano heliskiing in Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido backcountry and ski touring

Hokkaido backcountry and ski touring

Hokkaido 8-day guided freeride and ski touring road trip

Hokkaido 8-day guided freeride and ski touring road trip

9-day guided ski tour in Hokkaido, Japan

9-day guided ski tour in Hokkaido, Japan

1+ day Ski Touring at the Furano Ski Resort in Hokkaido

1+ day Ski Touring at the Furano Ski Resort in...

Ski touring and Japanese culture in Central Hokkaido (12 days)

Ski touring and Japanese culture in Central Hokkaido (12 days)

Niseko, Hokkaido, Private Guided Sidecountry Skiing

Niseko, Hokkaido, Private Guided Sidecountry Skiing

1+ days heliskiing trip in Shiribetsu-Dake volcano, Hokkaido

1+ days heliskiing trip in Shiribetsu-Dake volcano, Hokkaido

Private backcountry ski tours in Hokkaido with a local guide

Private backcountry ski tours in Hokkaido with a local guide

Niseko, Hokkaido, Private Guided Backcountry Skiing

Niseko, Hokkaido, Private Guided Backcountry Skiing

1+ day Ski touring in Hokkaido, Mount Yotei

1+ day Ski touring in Hokkaido, Mount Yotei

4-day Backcountry ski tour in Niseko, Kiroro & Rusutsu

4-day Backcountry ski tour in Niseko, Kiroro & Rusutsu

Niseko + Mt. Yotei, 2 Day Guided Sidecountry Skiing

Niseko + Mt. Yotei, 2 Day Guided Sidecountry Skiing

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